HMP Pentonville, north London
PLANS to deport foreign prisoners early and offload inmates to overseas jails are expected to be announced today as the government faces an overcrowding disaster of its own making.
With 88,225 people now locked up in prisons in England and Wales and a desperate shortage of prison officers, the government is also expected to confirm more non-custodial sentences for “low-level” offenders to cut prison numbers.
The plans are due to be announced by Justice Secretary Alex Chalk after the Morning Star goes to print.
The announcement of a Women’s Justice Board should be cautiously welcomed, writes SABINA PRICE, but we need to see a recognition that our prison system is in crisis and disproportionately punishes some of the most vulnerable people in society
Working in a high-risk sector, prison officers’ calls for proper PPE must be heeded – and the POA will be fighting to ensure effective protection at work is delivered, writes MARK FAIRHURST
